A local hospital clarified that the reappearance of refrigerated trailers parked outside a Puyallup hospital is due to a shortage of mortuary staff, not a surge in COVID-19 deaths.
“MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is leasing three refrigeration trailers to expand the capacity of our morgue. Our capacity is currently limited due to mortuary staff shortages and is not due to a rise in mortality rates. As the omicron variant continues to surge, this allows us to compassionately and safely take care of deceased patients and ensure a process of dignity and respect for patients and their loved ones.
Omicron seems to have a lower overall mortality rate than prior variants, and COVID-19 mortality rates at Good Samaritan are not rising. There are three trailers currently at Good Samaritan and they could be used until morgue staffing returns to normal. Staffing is through independent mortuaries. Good Samaritan has leased trailers before in previous COVID-19 surges and there currently are 124 COVID-19 patients at Good Samaritan. MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital and MultiCare Auburn Medical Center are both leasing one trailer each.”